The SpaceX Dragon is a proposed conventional blunt-cone ballistic capsule spacecraft, capable of carrying seven people or a mixture of personnel and cargo, to and from low Earth orbit. The nosecone of the vehicle has a hinged cap which opens to reveal a standard ISS Common Berthing Mechanism, which allows the Dragon to dock to the US segment of the ISS. The capsule is being developed by SpaceX, a space transportation startup company. The Dragon capsule will be launched atop a Falcon 9[1] vehicle. SpaceX has built a full-sized prototype of the vehicle and "thoroughly tested" its life support system. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has stated that he plans to have the capsule enter service by 2009.
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Specifications
- Both manned and unmanned versions
- Can carry up to 7 passengers in crew configuration[2]
- Can carry over 2500 kg and 14 cubic meters in cargo configuration[2]
- 18 Draco thrusters[3]
- Phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA) heat shield[3]
NASA launch partnership
Dragon is part of a proposal submitted on March 3, 2006 for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program for commercially delivering cargo and crew to the International Space Station. SpaceX's team for the COTS proposal consists of a number of companies, including MD Robotics, a Canadian company which built the International Space Station's Mobile Servicing System, a robotic arm with a mobile re-attachable base. They intend to use the robotic arm to simplify docking with the space station, thus avoiding the added weight, extra cost and complexity of an on-board docking system such as APAS-89 or the LIDS. On August 18, 2006, NASA announced that SpaceX has been chosen, along with Kistler Aerospace, to develop crew and cargo launch services for the International Space Station. The plan using SpaceX's Dragon capsule calls for demonstration flights between 2008 and 2010. SpaceX may receive up to $278 million if they meet all NASA milestones.[4][5][6]
Development
As of December 2007[7], development of the Merlin 1C which would power the Falcon 9 have been completed and is currently undergoing qualifications. Testing firings of Falcon 9's first stage have been conducted. The Critical Design Review for the Dragon have been completed and approved by NASA. Development of mockups for aerodynamic modelling, ergonomics have been completed. Development and testing on the Dragon heat shield have started.
America's Space Prize
If the Dragon launches as scheduled, it would qualify to win the $50 million America's Space Prize. Musk has stated that he intends to win it, and can do it by the January 10, 2010 deadline.[8]
References
- ^ Jones Name, Thomas D. (2006), "Tech Watch - Resident Astronaut", Popular Mechanics 183 (12): 31, ISSN 0032-4558
- ^ a b Dragon Overview. SpaceX. Retrieved on 11 December 2007.
- ^ a b SpaceX Updates - December 10, 2007. SpaceX (December 10, 2007). Retrieved on 11 December 2007.
- ^ NASA selects crew, cargo launch partners. Spaceflight Now (August 18, 2006).
- ^ NASA Selects Crew and Cargo Transportation to Orbit Partners. SpaceRef (August 18, 2006).
- ^ Alan Boyle. "SpaceX, Rocketplane win spaceship contest", MSNBC, August 18, 2006.
- ^ SpaceX December 2007 update. SpaceX (December 10, 2007).
- ^ Michael Belfiore. "Race for next space prize ignites", Wired, January 18, 2005.
External links
Official Site
News articles
- SpaceX Building Reusable Crew Capsule (Space News, March 6, 2006)
- The SpaceX Dragon: America's First Privately Financed Manned Orbital Spacecraft? : Includes a number of cutaway views of capsule
- Dragon Uncloaked (The Space Review, August 14, 2006): summary of comments by Elon Musk about Dragon at Mars Society conference
Analysis and speculation
- Draggin' Quest (Chair Force Engineer, March 6, 2006): an engineer's analysis of the capsule design
- Apparently Some People Keep Secrets Better Than Others (Selenian Boondocks, March 6, 2006): More analysis
- Time for a Canadarm Mini? (Selenian Boondocks, March 9, 2006)
- Translunar Dragon Flights? (Selenian Boondocks, March 9, 2006)
Photographs
- Selection of photographs from tour of SpaceX factory, including photos of Dragon capsule (Michael Belfiore's Dispatches from the Final Frontier, May 4, 2006)
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| Historic | TKS |  |
| Current | Automated Transfer Vehicle • H-II Transfer Vehicle • Progress | |
| In development | Andrews Cargo Module • ARCTUS • Kistler K-1 • SpaceX Dragon | |
